The hopes of Pakistan’s hockey team to secure a spot in the Asian Champions Trophy semi-finals have been dashed as they suffered a 4-0 defeat against rivals India in the final match of the group stage. The showdown took place at Chennai’s Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on August 09.
In a commanding performance, India solidified their position as the lone undefeated team during the group stage of the tournament. With this triumph, India now leads the leaderboard with 13 points, closely trailed by Malaysia with 12 points.
Despite Pakistan, Japan, and Korea all tallying the same points, it was the latter two teams that managed to advance to the semi-finals due to their superior goal differences.
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This unexpected turn of events marks the first time that Pakistan’s hockey team has been excluded from the top-tier rankings since the inception of the Asian Champions Trophy.
Despite initially displaying vigor and determination, Pakistan ultimately couldn’t match the relentless drive of the Indian team.
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh emerged as a pivotal player, skillfully scoring two goals, while Jugraj Singha and Mandeep Singh each contributed one goal, contributing to the thrilling victory.
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The match signifies Pakistan’s 16-game winless streak against India, with their last victory dating back to the 2016 South Asia Games. As the group stage came to a close, Pakistan managed only one victory, against China, placing them at the bottom of the points table.
As the tournament progresses, excitement builds for the upcoming semi-final clashes. On August 11, Malaysia will clash with South Korea, promising a battle of strategic prowess.
Meanwhile, India, buoyed by their group stage success, is set to face Japan in the second semi-final, setting the stage for an enthralling display of skill and determination on the same day.
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